LOVING these Korean-Japanese Dramas with a great plot and cast!!
After watching and absolutely LOVING What Comes After Love last year, I was pleasantly surprised to find another Korean-Japanese pairing-- and on Netflix at that.The overall story may seem cliche with the "I can't touch anyone but you" fixation, but having both leads suffer from a mental illness seems to be the point. Two people going through struggles and overcoming, or at least learning to cope with, them in healthy ways. Obviously for both characters, forming a deep connection with a significant other is a major difficulty, so honestly it was really cute seeing how they go from partners of sorts to lovers.
The visual appeal was great, but of course I expected nothing less from a Netflix production. The chocolate-making intro that changes each episode was beautiful as was the more metaphorical transition of the evolving relationships.
I am always a sucker for fast-paced romance, as a hopeless romantic, but in this case the trust they form was so meaningful I quite enjoyed the way the writers had them form a tentative bond at first.
Nothing too serious or deep, given that it's only 8 episodes, but still a great drama. 🍫💝
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This review may contain spoilers
Chocolate making with *awkward* slow burn on the side.
A decent drama to binge watch.This drama just EXUDES awkwardness LOL. I don't necessarily mean it in a bad way, ig Han Hyo Joo's acting in this role was just perfectly exhibited. Both characters had lots of flaws to them but overall, the drama conveyed a good meaning and the mental illnesses that were included in the drama were well written and depicted.
In terms of the story, I particularly liked how we got to explore the production and stories that come with the different chocolates in the box. I was losing interest once the story shifted to centering around the company and the competition but its wtv since it was technically only the last episode.
My low-ish rating is mainly because its just not my cup of tea. I definitely thought I would enjoy it more before watching but the awkwardness and everything was just too much for my liking. But I see the appeal.
Also, the very last scene... It felt like Kentaro Sakaguchi and Song Joong-ki's appearances were just added to boost popularity lol they could've used those last few minutes of the drama for something else tbh
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A Sweet Treat With One Very Suspicious Cocoa Bean
Romantic Anonymous is one of those quiet little dramas that initially feels like a warm cup of hot chocolate, gentle, comforting, and a little sweeter than you expect. The early episodes charmed me instantly with their soft pacing and the emotionally grounded premise of two people who struggle to exist in the world. Lee Ha-na, played with a delicate, jittery sincerity by Han Hyo-joo, has scopophobia, the fear of being looked at. For her, eye contact feels like stepping under a spotlight she never asked for. Fujirawa Sousuke played by Oguri Shun, her boss, is mistaken for a germaphobe, but his real wound runs deeper: he’s convinced he is the contamination, shaped by a childhood trauma that he’s carried into adulthood like a hidden scar. Watching these two slowly inch toward each other, awkwardly, cautiously, and sometimes hilariously, was the heart of why I fell for the drama. Their scenes together aren’t sizzling so much as they are quietly tender, shaped by tiny gestures and shy glances that never overplay themselves. Even their attempt to “practice” touch and eye contact comes with a playful self-awareness, the drama jokingly acknowledging how absurd it sounds while still giving the moment emotional weight.The romance, if you can even call it that for most of the show, isn’t the dramatic sweeping kind. It’s more about two people learning to breathe near each other without panicking. Two turtles slowly poking their heads out of their shells. It’s soft. It’s understated. It’s care-driven rather than chemistry-driven. And honestly, that worked for me. This was always a healing story more than a love story, where chocolate becomes a language, connection becomes courage, and every small step counts.
But then episode 7 happened, and the tonal shift was so abrupt it felt like someone swapped the script with the outline of a completely different show. Suddenly we were in Bali looking for “rare cacao beans,” and in the most spectacularly convenient twist imaginable, the first random restaurant the characters entered just happened to be owned by the exact farmer they needed. I sat there blinking at the screen like my brain had blue-screened. This kind of deus ex machina shortcut is my personal storytelling kryptonite, and it broke my immersion instantly. One drop of that plot convenience landed in my emotional milk and dyed the whole thing grey. I hit the eject button so fast I thought that was the end of it. And normally, for me, it would be. Once I emotionally disconnect from a drama, that’s usually permanent.
But strangely, and I still don’t fully understand why, I came back the next day and picked up the final episode. Maybe it was lingering fondness for the characters, maybe it was curiosity, maybe it was the emotional momentum from the early episodes that hadn’t fully faded. Whatever the reason, I found myself giving the show one last chance. And to my surprise, the finale didn’t just pull itself together, it actually returned to the emotional spine that made the drama charming in the first place. The chaos of Bali slipped into the background, and the story refocused on what truly mattered: Hana finding the courage to step into the world a little more boldly, and Sousuke deciding to protect the chocolate shop not for business or legacy, but because he finally understood what it meant to bring happiness to others. Their personal arcs came full circle in a way that felt sincere and grounded, like the drama remembered exactly what it promised at the beginning and honored it.
The ending isn’t extraordinary, but it is emotionally honest. It’s quiet, thoughtful, and thematically consistent with the gentleness of the early episodes. No fireworks, no grand romantic declarations, just the inevitability of two people who are a little braver, a little healthier, and finally able to look at each other without flinching. That kind of closure, for this kind of story, is enough.
In the end, Romantic Anonymous isn’t a masterpiece and it’s not aiming to be one. It’s a warm, cozy little drama that stumbles hard in one episode but still finds its footing in the finale. If you enjoy soft emotional storytelling, awkward healing arcs, and characters who feel genuinely human in their frailty, it’s well worth watching. Just be prepared for one detour that may test your patience. For me, the journey, even with its flaws, ended on a satisfying note.
I know I don't usually do numerical scores anymore, but I’d give it a solid, warm high 7 out of 10.
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This review may contain spoilers
Perfect binge watch for the weekend!
Romantic Anonymous was a series I binge-watched in a single day. It’s been a while since I’ve watched something like this, so I spent the week I had off catching up on shorter, fast-paced dramas—and this one was at the top of my list!The story begins with Hana Lee, who struggles with anxiety and can’t look people in the eye. Our male lead, Fujiwara Sosuke, is a germaphobe. Both deal with their own challenges on a daily basis, but they share one thing in common: they both love chocolate. They end up working at the same place, and as they spend more time together—especially while trying to save La Sauveur after the owner’s passing—they slowly begin to fall for each other.
Below are some things I loved about the drama:
• The cast!
It feels like a collision of worlds. I grew up watching C-drama, lakorn, Bollywood, Jdorama, and K-drama, so seeing actors from different industries collaborating feels like a dream come true. I love every moment of it, and I’m so glad we’re seeing more Japanese actors working alongside Korean actors.
• Akanishi Jin’s return.
This deserves its own mention. Seeing Akanishi Jin acting again makes me so happy even nostalgic. The last time I saw him was during his idol days with KAT-TUN. If you know, you know what happened back then, and it’s been a while since we’ve seen him in a drama.
• The meaning behind each chocolate.
One thing I love about J-dramas is how they often focus on more than just the romance. Here, the emphasis is on the chocolate and the personal stories behind each piece. Because of this, each episode was unique and fun to watch.
Romantic Anonymous is perfect for anyone who loves chocolate and appreciates stories where even small things carry special meaning. There’s a sweet love line between the leads (and a second couple!), and the cast—many of whom are longtime industry veterans—makes the storytelling even stronger. I totally recommend this as a weekend watch if you want something quick, warm, and satisfying… because that’s exactly how I enjoyed it!
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honestly so refreshing and cute
Romantic Anonymous is easily one of the cutest and most memorable romcoms of 2025.What sets it apart is the way it handles deeper themes, especially mental health, with sincerity rather than heaviness.
The story remains light, engaging, and incredibly bingeable I couldn’t stop watching. It balances sweetness authenticity and emotional depth in a way that feels both comforting and beautifully real.
It’s the kind of series you can enjoy without stress yet it still manages to resonate long after the credits roll.
Overall a genuinely heartwarming watch filled with charm and heart.
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Really good for as far as lighthearted romance goes
I had to write a review because all the reviews about this were so one sided and hateful. It's like people really took this show personally for some reason and I'm not sure why.I understand why some people might not love it. It was not a very eleborate love storyand had lots of plot points going on at once.
But it really gave me 2010-2017 K- drama era vibes which I really missed. Even though it was a J drama ( I think it might have been a joint production, I'm not sure). I think its the way they flushed out the characters and drove the plot, that reminded me of that era's style ( which I personally loved!). The character development was quite good and the plot was explored in a very balanced way considering it was so short.
It was a little goofy and very " romcom logic" with cliche tropes/ plot motives sometimes. But I expect that from this flavour of a show?
As for the psycology portion of the show, I'm not sure how accurate it was for it's specific disorders. But as someone who regulary sees a clinical psycologist and has met somone with diagnosed agaraphobia, I thought the represation didn't feel misalgned to me and actually made me feel sympathy towards people's unique mental health struggle's through it's potrayal.
And the cinematography and concept execution was jaw dropping in my opinion. On my next visit to Japan, I now have new bucket list chocolates and spots to try! It really inspired me, and made me reflect on why and how people may connect and face their limits. A definite must watch for a light/ binge drama!
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This review may contain spoilers
8 episodes of pure perfection!!!! Japan truly NEVER disappoints me.I loved how the protagonists' mental disorders were portrayed so realistically and super well-acted by the actors. You could feel how difficult it is to live with the illness and the constant attempt to get better even when something is trying to stop you at all costs and you can't control it...
The way Sozuke and Hana find in each other a kind of escape valve for all the confusion that is their minds, having each other as anchors, was truly touching. Seeing their relationship grow gradually, without haste, with care and affection, going from strangers to friends, then to lovers... was just so beautiful.
The plot is really well developed, the drama was just right. Obviously, there were one or two things that were lost, but overall it was a well-constructed script, especially since I believe the focus was on the difficulties faced by people with mental disorders living their lives like anyone else, with dramas, struggles, romance, and everything else, and that's exactly what they conveyed. The other subjects weren't poorly developed, they were only developed in the basics, without depth, but it was okay... and the cinematography was impeccable, and the OST too!!
Now, what really made me think, "Hmm, what's this vibe all about?" was the guest actors (Sakaguchi Kentaro and Song Joong Ki) at the very end of episode 8... I mean, was I the only one who felt a colorful vibe coming from that 20-second exchange of glances?! Because I did, haha! Okay... I'm definitely being delulu but I felt it lol
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We all need chocolate
A very cute healing romance set in the world of chocolate.PLOT: The FL, an anonymous chocolatier, has completely isolated herself, unable to meet anyone's gaze except that of the ML, the chocolate factory's director, who, in turn, cannot touch anyone except the FL. These two wounded souls will heal and learn to love each other.
+++Excellent cast: I wasn't familiar with the two leads, but they are talented, subtle, and perfect for their roles.
+++ Beautifully direction, well-paced, and with gorgeous chocolate visuals.
### Personally, I wasn't interested in the second romance. The therapist, who herself needs therapy, is neither professional nor competent. Hiro's character isn't developed (I'm not questioning the actor's talent, but the storyline).
=> Very sweet series.
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Très cute healing romance ds le milieu chocolatier.
PLOT: La FL, anonymous Chocolatier, s'est complètement isolée, ne pouvant croiser de regard, sauf celui du ML, directeur de la chocolaterie, qui lui, ne peut toucher personne sauf la FL. Ces 2 âmes blessées vont se guérir et apprendre à s'aimer.
+++Excellent cast : je ne connaissais pas les 2 leads, mais ils sont talentueux, subtiles, parfaits pour ces rôles.
+++ Belle réalis°, rythmée, et avec de magnifiques images de chocolat.
### Personnellement, la romance 2 ne m'a pas intéressée. La psy qui a elle-même besoin d'1 thérapie, n'est ni professionnelle, ni compétente. Le personnage de Hiro n'est pas approfondi (je ne mets pas en cause le talent de l'acteur, mais la storyline).
=> Série très sweet.
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Stan says can't touch, can't look but the hearts on hook.
Miss incognito. Mr Sanitizer.Fuji Kaze. Irene the drunk counsellor.
Nice. Beautiful.
What's wrong with him?
What's wrong with her?
Oh choclates!
Love is a mental disorder tok right?
THESE CHOCLATES ARE AN ART PIECE!
Where she going? Is that TAKIYA GENJI!!
Sarang all the way.
In the end, no cure, just companionship.
(A member of Italian mafia looking for counselling?)
●●●
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A simple and calm story yet gives me butterflies
A story of two broken people miraculously comforting each other in a subtle way.Two of my favorite actors collaborating for a warm and heartfelt story of healing. Oguri Shun and Han Hyo Joo never disappoint. I love how they interact. Very mature. Very trusting.
I wanted this series to be long, at least 12 episodes, but nevertheless there are no loose ends in the story.
The soundtrack is also very calming and just hits the mood.
I want them to be partnered again. Or maybe Takeru Sato :)
Just a wonderful drama. Will watch this again.
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Another great script by Okada Yoshikazu
Another grown up script for grown ups. No teen angst, solid well developed characters, even the secondary characters are well crafted and not mere types.Music wise although I'm not a K-pop fan i liked the theme song.
t A note on the ending : it demands thinking not just passive watching. As an Okada - San otaku waiting for his next one.
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Sweet like chocolate! ^_^
Overall 9.5/10🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Just finished this and couldn't wait to post a review!!
Such a sweet ending, goes so well with the theme of chocolate happiness. The cameos at the end were a pleasant surprise making the last episode all the more fun. Loved the chemistry between the characters and just everyone portrayed the smallest details with care. I loved this! Han Hye-Joo did an amazing job as Lee Hana - I was fully immersed in the drama. I haven't watched many Japanese dramas but the more I watch the more I appreciate their style of storytelling. The pacing felt perfectly smooth. Highly recommend!! Why a 9.5 out of 10 you may ask...well I loved it so so much but it's not able to top some of my 10/10s!
A truly sweet treat!🥰🍫
(Also the child actor that played young Sosuke is SO CUTE and expressive!!!)
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